8-A. Mental health services provided by counseling professionals. A health maintenance organization that issues individual or group health care contracts providing coverage for mental health services shall offer provide coverage for those services when performed by a counseling professional who is licensed by the State pursuant to Title 32, chapter 119 to assess and treat interpersonal and intrapersonal problems, has at least a masters degree in counseling or a related field from an accredited educational institution and has been employed as counselor for at least 2 years. Any contract providing coverage for the services of counseling professionals pursuant to this subsection may be subject to any reasonable limitations, maximum benefits, coinsurance, deductibles or exclusion provisions applicable to overall benefits under the contract. This subsection applies to all contracts executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this State on or after January 1, 1998. For purposes of this subsection, all contracts are deemed renewed no later than the next yearly anniversary of the contract date.

Sec. VV-24. 24-A MRSA §4234-A, sub-§11, as amended by PL 1995, c. 673, Pt. D, §8, is further amended to read:

11. Application. Except as otherwise provided, the requirements of this section apply to all policies, contracts and certificates executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this State on and after July 1, 1996. Contracts entered into with the State Government or the Federal Government to service Medicaid or Medicare populations may limit the services provided under such contracts consistent with the terms of those contracts if mental health services are provided to these populations by other means. For purposes of this section, all contracts are deemed renewed no later than the next yearly anniversary of the contract date.

Sec. VV-25. Application. The requirements of this Part apply to all policies, contracts and certificates executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this State on or after the effective date of this Part. For purposes of this Part, all contracts are deemed to be renewed no later than the next yearly anniversary of the contract date.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect July 1, 2003.